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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

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We’re unpacking the headlines and making the news make sense. Get connected with local experts, your neighbors and the stories shaping Chicago.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2762Founded10 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Online retail behemoth Amazon is closing all of its branded grocery stores — but already has the greenlight to experiment with a new retail idea: a “first-of-its-kind Amazon superstore” that is coming to south suburban Orland Park. Is this the future... more

Chicago City Council advances plan to strengthen enforcement of the Welcoming City Ordinance. THC drinks have come to the United Center. A Congressional Budget Office report shows $21 million was spent on deploying the National Guard to Chicago for “... more

There’s hardly a better example of how Chicago’s old buildings keep finding new life than a three-story place on Champlain Avenue in Woodlawn, just half a block south of Washington Park. Built back in 1923, the building has been a synagogue, then hom... more

After the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minnesota, fear, anger, and organizing have surged in communities already on edge. In the Loop checks in with Jered Weber-Johnson, Rector of St. John the Evangel... more

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Recent Guests

Sarah Rand
Communications consultant with firsthand experience in the job market
Episode: Having A College Degree Is Losing Its Edge In The Job Market
Clifton Muhammad
Member of the Southeast Environmental Task Force
Episode: Quantum Campus For All?
John Zasadzinski
Professor of Physics at the Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology
Episode: Quantum Campus For All?
Samir Mayekar
Associate Vice President and Managing Director of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
University of Chicago
Episode: Quantum Campus For All?
Dr. Nicholas Cozzi
Emergency physician at Rush
Rush
Episode: New Year, New Flu: The New ‘Super K’ Variant And Symptoms To Watch Out For
Dr. Brian Borah
Medical director for the Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance Program at the Chicago Department of Public Health
Chicago Department of Public Health
Episode: New Year, New Flu: The New ‘Super K’ Variant And Symptoms To Watch Out For
Mike Quigley
U.S. Congressman representing Illinois' 5th District
U.S. Congress
Episode: What The U.S.’s Actions In Venezuela Mean For The Chicago Area
Robin Kelly
U.S. Congresswoman representing Illinois' 2nd District
U.S. Congress
Episode: What The U.S.’s Actions In Venezuela Mean For The Chicago Area
Dion Dawson
Founder and executive director of Dion's Chicago Dream
Dion's Chicago Dream
Episode: Affordability Crisis Leaves Chicagoans To Fill Gaps

Host

Sasha Ann Simons
Host of In the Loop, known for her empathetic interviewing style and pivotal role in discussing pressing local issues in Chicago.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 387 ratings
  • Listener for years…

    I’m less aware of what’s going down in the city without this show! Thank you, Sasha! And PUBLIC MEDIA!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Burchp
    United States6 months ago
  • Excellent host

    Simons is fantastic — sincerely empathetic and curious, asking questions that yield fascinating answers. The topics are relevant to every day people and hyper local in the best way

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bizzysteph
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great show, small gripe

    I enjoy Reset’s content about the Chicagoland area. It gives good context on specific issues in a format similar to NYT’s The Daily gives on worldwide issues. My only complaint is a technical one, which is that the maximum volume of the episodes is lower than most of the other podcasts I listen to, including some from WBEZ. There are times when I am unable to listen to it because the ambient noise level around me is too high, but other podcast with higher max volume are completely understandable... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    An untaken nickname!!
    United Statesa year ago
  • Divisive

    This podcast promotes views of “inequities” in Chicago and that correcting these alleged “systemic” problems requires further favoritism and discrimination based on color and other identity characteristics like sexual orientation. What isn’t understood is the focus on race and favoritism just hurts the individuals struggling in this city and is not sustainable. Please read the Constitution and recent court decisions and stop the race rhetoric. It’s harmful and unproductive.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AnotherJoe1
    United States2 years ago
  • Sasha is AWESOME

    Hearing Sasha hang up on Richard Pearson of the Illinois Division of the NRA was perfect.

    Natalie Moore interviews and segments are my favorites.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yaditexas
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, there is a strong sense of community and connectedness expressed by the audience, valuing the informative nature of the content.
Listeners appreciate the host's empathetic and curious approach to interviewing, often highlighting the relevance of topics to everyday people.
Some feedback indicates that certain listeners feel the discussions can sometimes lack depth or pushback on contentious topics.
The show is regarded as a vital source of local news, helping listeners stay informed about significant issues affecting Chicago.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#179
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#125
Israel/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#189
Sweden/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#206
Finland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 23, 2026
Q: What can you tell us about the arrest and legal proceedings tied to the ICE raids in the South Shore area?
Investigators are probing potential landlord collaboration with federal authorities following aggressive ICE raids that disproportionately affected non-citizen tenants.
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 23, 2026
Q: What are the implications of the Chicago City Council banning intoxicating hemp products?
The ban means a significant number of shops will cease operations, while there is political pushback from Mayor Johnson, who advocates for regulation instead.
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Jan. 23, 2026
Q: What is the latest news regarding the murder-for-hire trial of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino?
The jury quickly returned a not guilty verdict in Bovino's case due to lack of evidence supporting gang affiliations, as much of the critical evidence was barred from being presented.
Leading Democratic Candidates For Illinois’ Senate Seat Face Off In First Debate
Q: Will you support Chuck Schumer as the leader of your party in the Senate? Yes or no?
Congressman Krishnamoorthi said he was uncertain and would hear his pitch first, while Lieutenant Governor Stratton outright stated no, emphasizing the need for fighters over followers in the Senate.
Leading Democratic Candidates For Illinois’ Senate Seat Face Off In First Debate
Q: As a college student entering an AI-driven job market with rising costs, what specific policy would you champion to prepare students for the future of work?
Congresswoman Kelly emphasized the need for training and education, advocating for the expansion of career and technical education to prepare students for jobs in the AI sector and the importance of applying guardrails around AI technologies.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

What is In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content examines significant social, political, and cultural issues affecting Chicago, with insights from various experts and community members. Topics often focus on local governance, public safety, mental health services, and the implications of federal policy changes, particularly concerning marginalized communities. The podcast uniquely blends hard news with community-driven narratives, often highlighting personal stories through interviews with city officials, activists, and residents who bring diverse perspectives to current events.

Notably, the discussions not only address immediate news but explore broader themes, such as the impact of historical events on current policies and the ongoing challenges faced by underrepresented gr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons?

These podcasts share a similar audience with In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons:

1. Post Reports
2. Up First from NPR
3. 1A
4. The NPR Politics Podcast
5. Here & Now Anytime

How many episodes of In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons are there?

In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons launched 10 years ago and published 2762 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons?

Recent guests on In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons include:

1. Sarah Rand
2. Clifton Muhammad
3. John Zasadzinski
4. Samir Mayekar
5. Dr. Nicholas Cozzi
6. Dr. Brian Borah
7. Mike Quigley
8. Robin Kelly

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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